More shops to be reopened from today

The Indian government issued new relaxed guidelines for more shops to open from today; still, many shops are under confusion as they are seeking clarity from local authorities.

The third phase lockdown has been extended till May 17 in the country while providing relaxations in green and orange zones.

However, many state governments have not yet decided on the guidelines of the central government. Hence many retailers and traders are in a dilemma about the reopening of their shops.

Many retailers are yet to receive permissions from local authorities and are waiting for their approval to reopen their business.

Each state will have to come up with different and clear guidelines as per the ground situation. Some states have come out with the same guidelines that have been issued by the Centre while some others are framing new guidelines.

In this context, the traders are in confusion. There is especially a lack of clarity about neighbourhood and standalone shops.

The confusion lies over these terms. Hence, traders are waiting for clarity from both the Centre and state governments.

Some states are restrictive on the relaxations of the Centre due to their policies as per the existing conditions.

For instance, wholesale markets are not permitted to open in red zones in the national capital, whereas the standalone shops can be opened as per the guidelines.

Moreover, the non-availability of migrant workers is a major issue for shop owners which restrict their operations to a large extent.

Apart from food, Big Bazar wants to sell other items as well wherever they are allowed as per the new notification.

As per the guidelines of Ministry of Home Affairs, malls shall remain closed in all zones whereas all standalone shops, neighbourhood shops and shops in residential complexes are allowed to open in urban areas. These include shops selling both essential and non-essential items.

Hence, traders and retailers are waiting for clarification on a mall and standalone or neighbourhood shops.

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